Layden had previously been part of a combined Connacht/Munster side that played against a Leinster/Ulster selection in an Under-20 match to open the Aviva Stadium in 2010.
Despite his injury problems, Connacht offered Layden a further one-year contract, which saw him become a member of the senior team for the 2014–15 season.
[4][5] Layden made three appearances in the 2014–15 Pro12, starting against Newport Gwent Dragons and Ospreys, and coming on as a replacement against Cardiff Blues.
[8] Layden was also initially named to the Ireland Under-20 squad for the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship, but injury forced him to miss the tournament, and he was replaced by his fellow Connacht academy member Conor Finn.
[11] Layden, however, did not earn a spot on the twelve-man roster for any of the four tournaments on the 2017 Sevens Grand Prix Series.